Index Trading
Trade major global indices with zero commission and tight spreads on an ECN account with FXOpen.
What is index trading?
An index is a group of assets combined and used to track the performance of a particular market or sector. When talking about indices, traders usually mean stock index trading. Instead of investing in individual company shares, you can get exposure to a group of stocks that reflect the performance of the entire sector or market.
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are commonly used by market participants to trade indices. CFDs allow traders to take advantage of an asset’s price movements without owning it directly—for example, you can speculate on the value of the S&P 500. Moreover, you can take advantage of both rising and falling markets, which means that you can open a buy or sell order, depending on your market outlook. Another key feature is that CFDs also offer leverage, which allows traders to control a larger position with a smaller amount of capital, though with a higher risk.
Why trade index CFDs?
Market diversification:
Gain access to an entire market or sector.
Leverage:
Control larger positions with less capital.
Flexibility:
Trade without owning the underlying asset and open long or short positions depending on market direction.
High liquidity:
Enjoy high liquidity of major indices.
Advantages of index trading in Dubai and the rest of the UAE with FXOpen
Regulated broker
FXOpen is fully authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We offer Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) fund protection up to £85,000.
True ECN technology broker
FXOpen is trusted by more than 1 million traders worldwide. Trade on an ECN-based technology platform.
Competitive conditions
FXOpen provides commission-free index CFD trading with tight spreads.
One platform with multiple instruments and markets
Use one platform and trade CFDs on global stock market indices such as the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Hang Seng, Nikkei 225, and FTSE 100, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies*, and forex.
Access anytime, anywhere
With FXOpen, you can trade on four trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, TickTrader, and TradingView, in the desktop, web-based, or mobile version.
A wide range of traders’ tools
Take advantage of over 50 built-in indicators and graphic tools to improve your technical analysis. Use pre-made scripts and expert advisors or customise them to suit your goals.
Choose your index trading platform
Trade indices on cutting-edge trading platforms on desktop, web, or mobile.
TickTrader
FXOpen’s all-in-one solution for the most demanding traders, with more than 1,200 analytical tools and a wide range of markets.
TradingView
A modern platform known for its global community and comprehensive charting tools.
MetaTrader 4
The top choice among traders around the globe, offering numerous market analysis tools.
MetaTrader 5
Advanced platform with a wide range of markets for more comprehensive trading.
How to open an index trading account
Sign up
Select your country of residence to get started.
Complete the online application
You will then be directed to our secure server to finish the process.
Log in
Upon completing the application, you will be provided with a username and password. Log in to the Client portal, deposit funds, and start your trading journey with FXOpen.
FAQ
How can you trade stock indices?
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are one of the methods to trade indices. When using CFDs, you can take advantage of price movements of the underlying asset without having to buy actual shares or invest in a fund. CFD trading allows you to enter the market regardless of its direction. So, you can place a buy or sell order, depending on whether you think the index will go up or down. Also, you can use stop-loss and take-profit orders to control potential losses and lock in potential returns.
How can you trade the S&P 500 index?
The S&P 500 is the major index that reflects the overall health of the US economy, tracking the performance of 500 of the largest publicly traded companies. You can trade the S&P 500 through CFDs—for instance, at FXOpen, the S&P 500 is presented as US SPX 500 Mini CFD (our version of S&P 500 E-mini futures). When trading CFDs, you can enter the market without the need to purchase each individual stock of the companies included in it. Additionally, CFDs allow you to enter the market based on your outlook, whether you expect the index to rise or fall.
How can you trade the Dow Jones?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Dow Jones, or the Dow, is one of the leading US stock market indices. You can trade it through CFDs without investing in index funds or buying individual shares that make up the Dow. For example, at FXOpen, you can trade CFDs on the Wall Street 30 mini, our version of Dow Jones Industrial Average E-mini futures. With CFDs, you can enter the market, regardless of whether the index falls or rises. Additionally, you can use leverage to enter the market with lower initial capital. However, you should be aware of the risks of trading with leverage. Make sure to understand its pros and cons in advance.
How can you trade the Nasdaq 100?
The Nasdaq 100 is another popular US stock market index due to its high concentration of technology companies. It consists of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. You can trade it through CFDs regardless of whether it rises or declines. Analyse the market, decide whether it is likely to rise or fall, and place a buy or sell order accordingly. At FXOpen, the Nasdaq 100 is available as US Tech 100 Mini, our version of Nasdaq 100 E-mini futures.
Learn more about index trading in the UAE
*Important: At FXOpen UK, Cryptocurrency trading via CFDs is only available to our Professional clients. They are not available for trading by Retail clients. To find out more information about how this may affect you, please get in touch with our team.